A Week in Deepest Darkest Yorkshire

[johnkaysleftleg]

Back in October last year we spent a week in the Yorkshire Dales ensconced in a lovely cottage in Selside just outside of Horton in Ribblesdale. The weather for the week was far from ideal with high winds and torrential rain at times but we still managed to get out once or twice. Thought I'd do a catch up report.

Pen-y-Gent and Plover Hill 25th October 2015, 16km 612m

With a poor forecast to come we took advantage of a relatively dry Sunday and pootled down to Horton to do a classic round of Pen-y-Gent, tagging Plover Fell onto the walk as it would hrave been rude not to. It was grey and overcast with the tops in cloud as we set off. Even though the cloud appeared to be lifting we were denied any really clear views following the entertainingly rocky route to Pen-y-Gent summit.


Misty Halo by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Pen-y-Gent by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Pen-y-Gent Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

From here we crossed the wide and very boggy col towards Plover Fell, following much dancing and zig zagging to avoid the worst of it we were confronted with the sight of what looked like a long since destroyed stile and a very difficult climb over the wall. We back tracked to find a week point in the wall where most have passed over and bagged the unimpressive top of Plover Fell.

Towards Polver Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

On Plover Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The route down and around the high ground was very pleasant and had the added bonus of taking in Hull and Hunt Pots. Hunt pot in particular was impressive, a true glimpse into the underworld.

Descending Plover Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr


On the way back by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Hull Pot by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Hunt Pot by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Pen-y-Gent by Anthony Young, on Flickr

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Wernside 27th October 2015, 14km, 621m

Monday was actually quite sunny but with severe upland gales we gave the hills a rest but returned on Tuesday to climb Yorkshire's highest fell. Once again we used a well worn classic route for Wernside, this was a walk where the difference between dale and fell tops was very distinct, a pleasant autumnal day lower down and a howling wind with very poor visibility up high. All in all not too bad however and nice to get another fell walk in before the worst of the weather set in.


Ribblehead Viaduct by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Blea Moor Signal Box by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Railway by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Which way now? by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Force Gill by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Dramatic Skies. by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Into the Clag by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Grace and Hughie on the top of Yorkshire by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Winterscales Farm by Anthony Young, on Flickr

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

The remainder of the week was very much a wash out apart from a lovely evening on the Wednesday spent on a short walk up to Cautley Spout, and a Friday drive to Grange over Sands which, for that day at least escaped the worst of the rain.

Cautley Beck by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Yarlside textures by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Baugh Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Cautley Spout by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking down by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Cataract. by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Upper Falls by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Tumble Down by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Great Asby Scar 31st October 2015, 10km 220m

We did manage to fit one more walk in on our way home when we had a nice easy wander around Great Asby Scar. A fascinating landscape now thankfully fully protected for all to appreciate.

Sunbiggin Tarn by Anthony Young, on Flickr

On Tarn Moor by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Ruins by Anthony Young, on Flickr

On the Scar by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Great Asby Scar by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Currick by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Man and nature by Anthony Young, on Flickr

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

[trailmasher]

Some damn decent photos here JK and a great report to boot Despite the less than good weather you achieved a lot in your week away but, shame on you for conning our Hughie out on a day out to Whernside just look at the face on him parked up on the trig point at Whernside and Grace didn't look much drier either Shame eh!

[Alteknacker]

Great stuff - (but I would say that: this is where I grew up!!). It's amazing to me that it's over 50 years since I last did the 3 peaks, but I can remember that approach to Whernside (shown on one of your pics) as clearly in the detail as if it were yesterday

Just goes to show wimps like me that you really can make something out of poor weather if you set your mind to it.
I love the smiling but drenched daughter!!

The last sequence of pics are absolutely stunning - pic of the month is going to be really competitive this month!!

[ChrisW]

I thought we were friends JK and here you are with all this lovely Yorkshire lying around on your computer for 5 months Some beautiful images there mate, the one with the pennine way sign really did it for me, every single thing about these images looks like home and with my boy here for a few weeks, home is close to my heart right now

[Jaywizz]

Great photos - really atmospheric, and in one of my favourite parts of the country. Brought back many good memories. Thank you for posting.

[johnkaysleftleg]

Some damn decent photos here JK and a great report to boot Despite the less than good weather you achieved a lot in your week away but, shame on you for conning our Hughie out on a day out to Whernside just look at the face on him parked up on the trig point at Whernside and Grace didn't look much drier either Shame eh!

Many thanks TM, Hughie didn't mind Wernside, no Peat Hags and deep heather!

Great stuff - (but I would say that: this is where I grew up!!). It's amazing to me that it's over 50 years since I last did the 3 peaks, but I can remember that approach to Whernside (shown on one of your pics) as clearly in the detail as if it were yesterday

Just goes to show wimps like me that you really can make something out of poor weather if you set your mind to it.
I love the smiling but drenched daughter!!

The last sequence of pics are absolutely stunning - pic of the month is going to be really competitive this month!!

Thanks, once you've paid for the accommodation it would be rude not to at least have a go at getting out, some days it was a pre-courser to what happened in December. These pics were all back in October 2015 so not eligible for pic of the month, many more that are however

I thought we were friends JK and here you are with all this lovely Yorkshire lying around on your computer for 5 months Some beautiful images there mate, the one with the pennine way sign really did it for me, every single thing about these images looks like home and with my boy here for a few weeks, home is close to my heart right now

Better late than never Chris Just been up another Dales Fell yesterday, I promise the report won't take as long.

Great photos - really atmospheric, and in one of my favourite parts of the country. Brought back many good memories. Thank you for posting.

Thank you, it's a pleasure